You may recall a story surfacing from Hurricane Katrina that many refer to as an act of heroism, about a man taking a school bus to rescue people from flooding.
WDSU reporter Shay O’Connor told the story of Jabbar Gibson and where he is today.
Jabar Gibson said, “Hopefully I played a good role and impacted lives. In saving people. I am just glad I did it. I do not regret it.”
Gibson is reflecting on Hurricane Katrina from a federal prison in New Hampshire.
“I was actually in the Fisher Project. They were saying there was a storm coming. But we didn’t know how serious it was going to be,” said Gibson.
He said he was only 20 years old and could barely drive during Hurricane Katrina, when he, his mom and family members rode the storm out from their housing development in Algiers.
Gibson said he witnessed the devastatingly strong winds on the Westbank, but his family of about 11 made it through.
Gibson said, “We rode it out. But we didn’t have anywhere to go. We only had one car, so I couldn’t take everyone with me. Like my family.”
With heat rising and not a lot of food supply, Gibson said he found out about school buses near the levee. The plan was to get his entire family out of the city.
But then he saw others in need, walking along Highway 90 and over the CCC and decided to pick them up too.
“Basically, people walking off the East Bank. People I was picking up from the side of the road. Along the ride, including people in my housing project. In all, it was more than 70 people on the bus. We were packed up on it,” said Gibson.
That was one of the first buses from New Orleans to make it to the Astrodome in Houston, where storm victims from New Orleans were being given assistance.
It’s why years later Gibson is still regarded a hero by the many people he helped, and why every year during Katrina’s anniversary you might see the bus photo of Gibson pop up.
Gibson said he was not reprimanded for taking the bus in 2005.
He is currently serving 15 years in federal prison on drug and gun charges, with about 8 years left. He declined to talk about his open case.
But Gibson said every year around this time, he is given hope, remembering the moment he did something that he will always be proud of.
Gibson said, “I just know I am a part of New Orleans history. Forever. I enjoy that. And I appreciate all the people who say good things about me.”
Gibson said he is also working on a film documenting his life’s story and his journey during the storm. All while working on his appeal.
READ MORE:Man who saved dozens of people by taking a school bus during Hurricane Katrina talks to WDSU
